Dick Allen was a offensive powerhouse in an era that lacked offense, putting up monster stats in an era where pitching dominated. In his MVP season of 1972 the average line of the AL was .239/.306/.343. (by contrast in 2006 the average AL line was .275/.339/.437 , and that’s Batting Average/On base %/Slugging %). Allen’s 1.024 OPS (on base% + slugging%) was far and away the best in the AL
- During the span of Allen’s career, the only player (with a fair amount of plate appearances) with a better OPS was Hank Aaron.
- As shown here Allen has the third highest OPS+ among retired players not in the hall of fame, behind 2 players (Joe Jackson/Black Sox scandal and Mark McGwire/Steroids scandal) who would have been elected on the first ballot had they not been involved in certain scandals. (for the unfamiliar OPS+ is OPS adjusted for the park and the league in which the player played, but not for fielding position. An OPS+ of 100 is defined to be the league average. An OPS+ of 150 or more is excellent, signifying that the player had a 50% higher OPS than average, adjusted for park.)
- In his MVP season of 1972 he put an OPS+ of 200 joining this elite club of players who have done that. Note how there is only 1 other HOF eligible player not in (Norm Cash)
- 113 HOF batters (including Hank Aaron) have a lower career OPS+
- Out of every player with 3000 Plate Appearances since 1901 , Allen is 18th in career OPS+
